A-Z Of Australasian Psych

By Greg Watt

Australasian music has always followed overseas trends whilst  having a distinctive, identifiable sound of it’s own. In the early 60s  it was either surf music similar to the American sound, instrumentals a la The Shadows or rock and roll epitomised by the likes of ‘The  Wild One’ - Johnny O’Keefe. Just as the Beatles influenced much of the world musically, the same happened in Aust/NZ. Beat and Pop Bands sprung up everywhere or current bands changed the type of music they played. English R&B Bands were also a big influence. There is a notable similarity in style between Bands such as The Pretty Things and Rolling Stones or The Yardbirds and say, Masters Apprentices, The Throb or The Missing Links , or in New Zealand, The La De Das or Chants RnB.

In fact  a great number of bands contained members who themselves or their families had migrated from the UK.

A number of Bands crossed over into other musical styles. Quality Pop music by homegrown Bands was commonly seen and heard on local radio and television. Although there were probably not a lot of bands that were considered exclusively Psychedelic, many recorded and played something in this style. Many also continued on into the Progressive era creating some interesting Psych/Prog  crossovers. In fact the early 70s was possibly when music and Bands ‘downunder’ seemed to actually really start to believe in themselves and realise they were as good as anything or anyone in the US or England.  No.1  albums, Gold Records, outdoor festivals, etc were now commonplace.

Below is a list of Bands and songs from approx. 1966-1972 that hopefully fit into the Freakbeat, Psych, Psych/Prog sound. It is by no means definitive and will most likely bring on disagreements on some entries or descriptions, so any additions or discussion are  more than welcome.

A

• Alison Gros– from Adelaide. One member went on to international fame as a member of Little River– who should be of little or no interest to anyone that visits this site. The track to lookout for is ’Naturally’ which talks of magic carpet rides and shows the harmony work and hints of Country/Pop for which members would become more well known for.

           Naturally/Would You Really Have To Go (Gamba) 1970

• The Atlantics– Great and under-appreciated band that formed back in 1961. Started out as an Instrumental Surf Band and had a number of hits, especially ‘Bombora’. By 1966 they had become a tough Garage Band then moved on to record a variety of styles including straight Pop and harder edged Freakbeat material and finally Psych/Prog. Although they probably never recorded a straight out Psych track, a number of their releases would definitely appeal to people reading this, especially ‘It’s A Hard Life’, ‘Come On’, ‘When I Look Into My Life’ and ‘Light Shades Of Dark’.

          It’s A Hard Life / Why Do You Treat Me Like You Do (Sunshine) 1966

          I Put A Spell On You/ By The Glow Of A Candle (Sunshine) 1967

          Come On/ You Tell Me Why  (Sunshine) 1967

          Sunshine and Roses/ When I Look Into My Life  (Ramrod)  1967

          Light Shades Of Dark Pts. 1 &2 (Under Alias—Gift Of Love) (Ramrod) 1969

• Greg Anderson– Most of his stuff is easy listening and of no interest, but his version of ‘I Feel Good’ with backing by Vince Maloney Sect is excellent and fits into the Freakbeat mould  very well.

C

• Campact– Started  out in 1967 as a Stax/Tamla Motown influenced Soul group, perhaps similar to The Action. Their music style varied considerably over their releases, but their one true Psychedelic gem is ‘Drawing Room’ although some of their singles could be described as psychedelic/ pop. They evolved into the prog/head band Company Caine.

           Drawing Room/ I’m Your Puppet  (Festival)  1968

• Chain– Started in Perth in 1967 as The Beaten Tracks doing covers of current British material. They moved to the Eastern States and over the years and innumerable line up changes became Australia’s premier blues band. The B—side of their first single has it’s psychedelic moments but after that, it was blues all the way, of which their releases are well respected.

           Show Me Home/ Mr Time  (Festival)  1969

• Clapham Junction– Very English sounding which might not be surprising as a number of members were British and they were named after an English Railway Station. Only released the one 45 of which the A-side would appeal to readers of this site.

           Emily On A Saturday/ Good Time Music    (Du Monde)  1970

• The Creatures-Not really psych, but these guys could lay claim to being one of the wildest of Australian 60’s bands. The Oz equivalent of bands such as Count Five or the Shadows Of Knight but with the UK attitude as well of bands such as the Pretty Things, they were never going to be accepted in the mainstream, especially as they wore loooong pastel coloured wigs when onstage. They recorded the tough and manic “Ugly Thing” in 1967 which was completely out of step for the times but has since had a reissue series and a magazine named after it, such is its ferocity and legendary status. They became The Chocolate and released a cover of I’m an Animal in 1969, also out of synch with the times.

          Ugly Thing/You’re One And Only Man  

          RCA   (1967)                 

E

• The Easybeats– After The Bee Gees , The Easybeats would be Australia’s best known 60s band.  Their releases show their ability to play great Beat, Pop and Psych, and in Vanda/Young they had a truly great songwriting team. Formed in 1964 by Dutch, English and Scottish migrant children, they went on to record a succession of excellent tracks from 1965-1969, many of which were hits in Australia, and one, ’Friday On My Mind, was a hit overseas as well. After concerts around the country that contained hysterical scenes and screaming similar to Beatles  appearances, they left for the UK midway through 1966, recording some classic Psych/Pop tracks until their split in 1970. There are a number of compilations available, some of which contain hard to find or previously unavailable material, that are worth tracking down (particularly "The Shame Just Drained") but some psych singles definitely worth hearing are:

           The Music Goes Round My Head/Come In You’ll Get Pneumonia     (Parlophone) 1968

          Falling Off The Edge Of The World/ Hello How Are You (Parlophone)  1968

          Land Of Make Believe/ Good Times  (Parlophone)   1968

          Peculiar Hole In The Sky/ H.P. Man (Parlophone ) 1969

• The Elois-From country Victoria, but after moving to Melbourne they issued one of the wildest double sided pieces of Australian punk/freakbeat from the 1960’s.Another band that wore their Stones/Pretty things influences on their sleeve, I’m A Man was a great version and their self penned By My Side is a must hear with some great guitar work. They apparently recorded four other tracks but had broken up by the time they were ready for release.

• The Executives-  A Pop Band who specialised in harmonies. They had male and female vocalists and sometimes sounded similar to The Mamas and The Papas. Whilst most Australian Bands of this era attempted to make it in the UK when they had outgrown the Australian market, The Executives actually moved to the U.S and signed with the Buddah label. More of a breezy Pop band they had a couple of Psychedelic moments with ‘Moving In A Circle’ and ‘Summerhill Road’.

           Moving In A Circle/ Windy Day   (Festival) 1968

F

• The Five-A Brisbane band of the mid 60’s that released three singles that were mostly R&B but the track There’s Time has a freakbeat sort of sound about it.

           There’s Time/I Can’t Find Her                                                      Sunshine      1966

• Fraternity- Definitely more of a Prog/Hard Rock Band, they did record a decent version of The Blackfeather’s “Seasons Of Change” which was a hit in their home town of Adelaide. Bon Scott, of course, was a member, post Valentine’s and pre AC/DC.

           Seasons Of Change / Somerville R.I.P  (Sweet Peach)   1971

• Mike Furber (&The Bowery Boys) - Born in 1948 Furber was another British migrant who rose to great heights in the 60s, but in this case came to a sad and mysterious end. With the Bowery Boys he released three excellent Freakbeat singles including a cover of The Mockingbirds ‘You Stole My Love’ which is quite possibly better than the original. He then went solo, and although his popularity waned, a best of album is definitely worth seeking out as some of his later material was still strong, even including his last single which was written specifically for him by Vanda/Young. After bouts of depression and failed attempts in stage musicals, he sadly hanged himself in 1973, although there is still talk that he was murdered after he became involved with a Kings Cross prostitute, drugs and underworld figures of Sydney. Go HERE to read a recent newspaper article on Mike's mysterious death.

           Just A Poor Boy/ Mailman Bring Me No More Blues  (Sunshine)  1966

          You Stole My Love/ It’s Gonna Work Out Fine  ( Sunshine)  1966

G

• The Gathering-Released quite a few singles but it is only the first one, of which the a-side is a cover of The (UK) Spectrum track and the b-side which is a band composition that show pop/psych leanings that would interest collectors.

           Portabello Road/Get Ready For Me  (Astor)  1968

• Glass Web– Released two singles and even though they are out of the usual time frame for psych releases both sides of the first single have been comped and have psych leanings.

           In A Year Or So/Two Faced Woman (Nationwide) 1971

• The Groop– Formed in 1964, their earlier singles from the first line up were of little interest except for ‘Empty Words’. The second line up which came together in 1966 however were  responsible for at least two excellent Psych/Pop/Rock tracks in ‘Woman You’re Breaking Me’ and ‘Such A Lovely Way’. Another of the bands from this era who tried to make it in the UK but were unsuccessful, in their case from mid’67 to late ‘68. Best of releases are available but as is the case for a lot of Bands from this era there is a wide mix of material and quality.

           Empty Words/ Gun and Flowerpot Trick     (CBS)  1966

          Woman You’re Breaking Me/ Mad Over You   (CBS)  1967

          Such A Lovely Way/We Can Talk  (CBS) 1969

• The Groove– Really more of a Soul/Tamla sounding group but like a lot of Bands of the era they dabbled in other styles. Another Band like The Groop who won a national Battle Of The Sounds prize, which were return tickets to the UK. Whilst there they recorded ‘The Wind’, which has since turned up on one of the Rubble compilations “Magic Rocking Horse.” The b-side is also quite good with more of an organ driven rock sound.

H

• Healing Force– Only together for one year, this band were well respected musicians from a variety of top groups such as Bakery and The Twilights. In fact one member went to England and played with Be Bop Deluxe. Their one and only single is not Psych but it has the reputation of being one of the great early Prog singles to come out of Australia.

           Golden Miles/ The Gully   (Sparmac)  1971

• Hugo-Apparently a band and not a solo artist, the b-side of their single has a pleasant pop/psych sound that sounds as though it should have come out much earlier than it did.

           Hey Watch Out/Girl In The Garden  (N/K)  1969

I

• The Imagination-Nothing exceptional here but “We Got Fun” has been comped and could be of interest to pop/psych fans.

           Day In The Life/We Got Fun  (Parlophone)  1969

• Inside Looking Out– Very little known about this band  other than that they were from Adelaide and they released two great singles that should interest Psych collectors, especially ‘Long Live Sivananda’ and the great ‘H.M.S Buffalo’. Morning Sun is a good cover of the Traffic song.

           On Whom The Favour  Fall/ Long Live Sivananda   (Sunshine)  1969

• In-Sect-Started out in the early 60’s and became the In-Sect (great name) in 1966.One of the few bands of this era to release an album (Insect A Sides). The album, and apparently their stage show, was a mix of middle of the road, top 40 covers, showband or wild R&B/freakbeat such as their first two singles mentioned below. After this they ended up doing novelty singles and appearing in cabaret nights. I Can See My Love is definitely worth tracking down.

          Let This Be A Lesson/Take It Easy                                 (W&G)   1966

J

• James Taylor Move—Another Adelaide band, this time more well known. They released two excellent singles; all four sides are worth hearing. ’And I Heard The Fire Sing’ shows their Hendrix/Cream influences, ‘Magic Eyes’ is great Pop-Psych and ‘Still I Can Go On’ is closest to straight Psych. Members later moved to England and became renowned session musicians one actually writing for Cliff Richard and with Leo Sayer, but let’s not hold that against him.

           Magic Eyes/And I Heard The Fire Sing       (Festival)   1967

          Baby Jane/ Still I Can Go On     (Festival)   1967

• Jeff St John And The Id– Actually more of a Soul/R&B Band  they did  issue a Psychedelic B-side in ‘Eastern Dream’, in amongst their three singles. Jeff St John was renowned for his powerful voice and (due to spina bifida) his stage presence where he did all manner of tricks in his wheelchair . He later formed Jeff St John and Copperwine who released a worthwhile album in 1970 called ‘Joint Effort’.

           Black Girl/ Eastern Dream     (Spin)  1966

K

• Kahvas Jute– More of a Prog/Hard Rock Band, their album ‘Wide Open’ is very collectable, with excellent guitar work. Bob Daisley, their bass player went to England in 1971 and became what could be best described as a journeyman musician, with stints in Chicken Shack, Mungo Jerry, Widowmaker, Rainbow, Uriah Heep and Blizzard Of Ozz amongst others. Their single has, like many releases from this era, a Psych/Prog crossover sound

           Free/Ascend        (Infinity)    1971

• King Fox– School boy band from the rich Sydney suburb of Vaucluse. Their parents put up the money for all their instruments, equipment and recording costs but when end of year exams were failed they halted their careers. Their vocalist/keyboard player went on to have a huge hit with the Pop/Jazz single ‘Bad Habits’ in 1981,but don’t be in any hurry to hunt it down.

           Unforgotten Dreams/ Alone So Alone   (Du Monde)   1970

          Timepiece/Will You Love Me Tomorrow  (Du Monde)  1970